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NICHE and GEM: Geriatric Care Programs

Compassionate Geriatric Expertise

As we age, our healthcare needs can become more frequent. Older adults often experience functional decline brought on simply by aging alone. We can become at risk for a variety of conditions that can be challenging for caregivers such as dementia, delirium, and frailty. When selecting a healthcare partner, you can have peace of mind that Community Hospital North, Community Hospital East and Community Heart and Vascular Hospital offer a combination of compassionate care and the expertise to understand and address the physical, psychological, and social needs of older adults.

Evidence-Based Care for Better Patient Outcomes

In 2016, the nursing care team at Community Hospital North instituted the Nurses Improving Care of Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program. NICHE is a national nurse-driven membership organization that encourages hospitals to adopt its tested principles, protocols and model of care. This innovative program is dedicated to the highest level of care for our aging patients. The NICHE goals fit perfectly with Community’s culture of patient-centered care.

Our program is led by a nurse practitioner who specializes in geriatrics, and who helps guide clinicians, care providers, and nursing staff in providing sensitive and responsive geriatric care with an ongoing, high-level dedication to our aging population. NICHE evidence-based principles are embedded across the hospital, which means older adults receive high-quality, interdisciplinary care that leads to better outcomes.

Patient Care that Includes Families

In our program, care for older adults extends beyond health maintenance. Rather, we look for opportunities to improve health beyond a hospital stay or appointment with us. We believe communication with patients and their family members is crucial to providing care and achieving better health outcomes.

Older adults are hospitalized three times more than the general population and that number is expected to grow. Through 2030, more than 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day.

Geriatric Evaluation & Management (GEM)

The Geriatric Evaluation & Management (GEM) team is an inpatient, geriatric consult service for individuals hospitalized over the age of 65. This specialized, interdisciplinary care team excels in focusing on the needs of the aging patient during a hospitalization, as well as the needs of both the individual and caregiver at discharge. The GEM team works closely with the primary medical team during an individual’s hospitalization to ensure additional support for individuals navigating the aging process.

A part of Community Health Network, the GEM team includes a geriatrician - a physician specializing in the care of older adults - a geriatric nurse practitioner, a social worker case manager, a registered nurse, a pharmacist and a physical therapist. Our clinicians each bring a unique perspective and expertise to an individual’s care, and daily rounds assist in creating a unique care plan based on individual and caregiver preferences and needs.

The GEM team’s focus is to help older adults stay independent, especially when an acute hospitalization can cause further decline for seniors. Our assessment focuses on common issues related to aging – medication review and utilization, nutrition screening, mobility concerns, memory changes, mood or sleep problems, caregiver resources, and discharge planning. Our team is available to provide assistance and information on desired services and resources available throughout Community Health Network and local communities.

Our clinicians are credentialed with all of the major insurance providers, including Medicare.

The GEM team is currently located at Community North, Community East and Community Heart and Vascular Hospitals. Services are available Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays.

East GEM Team

Braca Cantor, MD

Braca Cantor, MD, was born in Jerusalem and is a long-time Hoosier. She received her undergraduate education from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN and it was there she was inducted into the prestigious honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. She then obtained her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Her internal medicine residency and a subsequent geriatrics fellowship were completed through St. Vincent in Indianapolis.

Dr. Cantor is a member of the American Geriatrics Society, Indiana Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, and American College of Physicians. In 2018, her accomplishments in the field of geriatrics were honored when she was named one of the "100 Hoosier Heroes" by the United Way of Central Indiana.

Dr. Cantor brings a unique passion to the field of geriatric care. She has a special interest in cognitive disorders and mental health, with a priority to improve the quality of life for all her patients. She is excited to be part of a team at Community Hospital East that shares these values.

In her free time, Dr. Cantor loves spending time with her husband, two children and huskies. She enjoys reading, listening to oldies and trying new local restaurants.

Angela R. Boyle, MSN, FNP-BC

Angela began her career in health care as a certified nurse assistant at an extended care facility in Muncie, IN when she was in nursing school. After completion of her BSN from Ball State University in 2011 she worked at IU Health Methodist Hospital as a bedside nurse on their Advanced Heart Care Unit or cardiac PCU. Angela obtained her MSN from Ball State University in December of 2016 and started her career as a nurse practitioner with IU Geriatrics working in the Eskenazi House Calls for Seniors program and in extended care.

Angela found her passion for geriatrics early in nursing school and that passion only grew as a bedside nurse when she realized her best days at work were spent caring for older adults. Angela's interests in geriatrics include managing polypharmacy and providing education and support for patients and their families.

In her free time, Angela loves to spend time with her husband Todd and dog Meeko at their home or exploring outdoors. She is very close with her family and enjoys being an aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Brooke Whistler, RN, BSN

In December 1992, Brooke graduated with from the University Of California at Berkeley with a BA in Social Welfare. In May 1997, she graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing from Midwestern State University. During her career, she has worked in a variety of nursing areas, including medical surgical, radiology, hospice, oncology and care navigation.

In 2018, after she completed her NICHE training, she knew she wanted to work in geriatrics! She has always been close to her grandparents, so she has a deep appreciation and respect for the geriatric patient population. In junior high, she volunteered at a nursing home behind her school and it was one of her favorite things she has ever done.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going out to eat, watching movies, reading and dancing.

Andrea McCleery, MSW, LSW

Andrea acquired her bachelor of social work degree in 2015 from Ball State University and her master of social work (MSW) in 2017 from IUPUI.

She began her career at Community Health Network in 2016 as a case management intern. She was officially hired in 2017 as an inpatient case manager for the Cardiac PCU and Short Stay Units. More recently, Andrea was a case manager for the Neuro Unit and helped cover all units on the weekend.

Andrea is passionate about supporting and serving neglected and vulnerable population groups, especially older adults. Her goal is to ease the impact of hospitalization on patients and families by helping them navigate the healthcare system, insurance barriers and discharge planning.

In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her husband, August, and their bernese mountain dog, Nana. Andrea also enjoys reading, listening to podcasts and crafting.

North GEM Team

Kimberly Moran, NP

Kimberly Moran, RN, MSN, AGNP, received her RN Diploma from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1995. Between 1995 and 2014, Kimberly’s professional experience included years in intensive care, management of an interdisciplinary team providing leadership in the care of patients in the home environment, and telehealth care for heart failure, COPD, diabetes and joint replacement patients.

Kimberly furthered her education, obtaining her BSN and MSN at the University of Indianapolis beginning in 2014 through 2017 to strengthen and enhance her skills, knowledge and experience in gerontology due to her passion for the geriatric population and their quality of life. During this time, Kimberly was part of a small team which developed a Reminiscence Therapy program for dementia patients.

Her affiliations include Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She has also assisted with opening a health clinic for a village and treating patients during a 10-day mission trip to Haiti.

Kimberly’s interests include spending time with her husband and three children, walking the dog, hiking, and enjoying nature.

Heather Allie, BSN, RN-BC

Heather acquired her ASN in 2009 from Clarion University and her BSN in 2011 from Waynesburg University. She became gerontology certified in 2012. Prior to coming to Community, her nursing experience included inpatient oncology, long-term care, and veteran outpatient psych and primary care. Her areas of interest include dementia and advanced care planning. Heather completed NICHE Geriatric Resource Nurse Training in 2018 after joining the GEM Team.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children, crafting, reading, and outdoor activities.

April Carter, PT

April is a licensed physical therapist and has been practicing for over 16 years. She obtained her bachelor of science degree from The University of the East in the Philippines. Before she joined Community, April worked at various rehabilitation settings in the Philippines and the USA including outpatient, acute and extended care facilities where she experienced numerous opportunities to provide care and education to the geriatric population. She started as an inpatient medical-surgical physical therapist float with Community in 2006; she transitioned to a staff physical therapist at Community Hospital North the next year. Today, she provides services to patients with various conditions at Community North and Community Heart and Vascular Hospital, including the geriatric population as they experience the normal challenges of aging.

April and her husband, Chad, are close to both of their families and also maintain strong relationships with several groups of friends. Outside of work, April and Chad enjoy traveling, spending weekends in the lake, and cheering for Indiana sports teams.

Erin Wire, MSW, LSW

Erin is a licensed social worker who graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2005. She later received her master’s degree in social work from IUPUI. Erin started working with case management at Community Hospital North in December 2015. Prior to joining the Community, Erin worked at the Marion County Public Health Department and CICOA. She has more than 10 years’ experience in the social work field. She is excited to be a part of the new geriatric inpatient program at Community North.

Erin lives in downtown Indianapolis and enjoys trying out new places in the city. She also enjoys volunteering, reading, and traveling with family and friends.

Molly Locke, PharmD

Molly received her doctor of pharmacy degree from Purdue University in 2017. She has been a clinical pharmacist at Community Hospital North since 2017. During her time at with the network, she has served as a member of the pharmacy resource team and cross-trained in the behavioral health pavilion and the emergency room. In 2018, Molly transitioned from the resource team to covering the inpatient medical-surgical unit at Community Hospital North.

Molly is passionate about medication safety and improving medication adherence through patient and caregiver education. Her goal is to impact medication use in older adults by identifying barriers to medication adherence, drug interactions, and potentially inappropriate medications.

In her free time she enjoys listening to podcasts, traveling and walking her dog.

Debra Oldanie, PharmD

Debra graduated from Purdue University with her doctor of pharmacy degree in 2012. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency in Wisconsin and has been a clinical pharmacist at Community Hospital North since 2016. She started with the pharmacy resource team then transitioned over to her role as 50/50 pharmacist on the medical-renal-oncology unit at CHN.

In her spare time, Debra enjoys spending time with her dog, Albie, a husky/lab/golden retriever mix as well as hiking, running, cycling and reading.

Darami Daniels MS, RN

Darami began her career at Community Health Network in 2008 as a Patient Support Partner. In 2011, she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from Marian University. In 2015, Darami obtained her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from Ball State University. Currently, Darami serves as an Education Specialist, Facility Educator at Community Hospital North. Her role includes assisting with the coordination of NICHE education for staff. Darami has always had a special place in her heart for the geriatric population; no doubt, a result of time spent with her grandparents during summer breaks.

In her spare time, Darami enjoys spending time with her husband and young son. She also enjoys traveling and eating at new restaurants.

GEM and NICHE Leadership

Georges El Hoyek, MD

Dr. El Hoyek received his doctorate degree from Lebanese University School of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at St. George Medical Center, a family medicine internship/residency at University of North Dakota, and a geriatric fellowship at University of Nevada School of Medicine. He is a certified medical director and most recently served as a hospitalist at Trinity Hospital.

He is a member of AMA, AGS, AMDA, AAFP, and Alpha Omega Alpha. He has a special interest in geriatric syndromes (frailty, fall, gait impairment), dementia/delirium/depression and geriatric acute/post-acute/long term care. He also has an interest in development and implementation of geriatric models of care.

He enjoys skiing, golfing, tennis and travel.

Margaret “Molly” Campbell, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC

Margaret “Molly” Campbell, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, is the director of inpatient geriatric care at Community Hospital North (CHN). Molly brings more than 10 years of geriatric knowledge and healthcare experience to this new role. She works closely with north region leadership, medical staff, employees, and the public to support the Network mission, vision, and goals in promoting the development of a leading geriatric care model.

Molly received her bachelor of arts degree in gerontology from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She then entered a three-year program at Yale School of Nursing in New Haven, CT, to obtain her RN and master’s degree in nursing. Molly’s nursing career began as a student nurse and then a registered nurse for cardiothoracic and peripheral vascular patients at Yale New Haven Hospital.